Scars decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The cervical spinal fusion disability is rated at 40 percent, neck scars are rated at 30 percent, and loss of taste remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for head injury and scar due to head injury have been denied as there is no current diagnosis associated with these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for ulcerative colitis has been remanded as the evidence is conflicting regarding her diagnosis, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if she has had this condition at any point during the appeal period and whether it is related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates and remanded the rating decisions for left gluteal fistula repair and scar, residual from left gluteal fistula repair. The decision also found that there was no informal claim prior to March 24, 2015 for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a head injury, including headaches, dizziness, and a scar on the left frontal skull is granted. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent evaluation, the highest available under the rating criteria. The other conditions have either not met their respective criteria for increased evaluations or are being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including examinations and opinions regarding his lip and forehead scars, right thigh scar, digestive disorder, left lower extremity disorder, right hip disorder, and residuals of a head injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to address the Veteran's theory of asbestos exposure. The case will be returned for a new VA medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence of onset and etiology, requiring VA examinations. The PACT Act presumption applies to TERA exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for scars of the left and right breasts, as well as residuals of excision of fibromas on her breasts (other than scars), are granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion to address the etiology of his headaches and ensuring that VA responds to the Veteran's request for credentials. The issues include service connection for headaches secondary to a scar above the right eye and TDIU prior to December 12, 2019.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of scars, status post breast reduction.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 11, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's lumbar disability is rated at the highest available schedular rating (10 percent).,The Veteran's scar, right lower extremity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,From November 27, 2017 to August 13, 2018, the Veteran's surgical scar, right foot is rated at the highest available schedular rating (10 percent).,The Veteran's hallux valgus is rated at the highest available schedular rating.,Service connection for chest/heart pain, hypertension, and an unspecified neurological disorder are remanded.,Service connection for a total disability rating based upon unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to assess the Veteran's employability prior to May 7, 2019, considering his service-connected disabilities and past limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for left knee surgical scars, an evaluation greater than 10 percent for right knee limitation of extension prior to July 21, 2022, or a compensable evaluation for right knee limitation of flexion. However, he is granted a rating of 10 percent evaluation for right knee instability and a rating of 10 percent evaluation for left knee instability.

The Board has determined that the current VA examinations are inadequate and requires new examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, blood pressure disorder, and scars.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 30 percent for five or more painful scars has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and his TDIU claim have both been remanded.

The Veteran's sinusitis from January 31, 2018 to March 14, 2019 is denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The scar of the posterior scalp associated with traumatic brain injury was granted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance as he is capable of attending medical appointments outside his home, does not require nursing care, and has no significant impairments that necessitate regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for an appendectomy scar was denied as the scar did not result in any functional impact and there were no symptoms related to it.,Service connection for dementia was also denied, with the Board finding that the Veteran's dementia is not at least as likely as not incurred or related to service.